Mesothelioma and
AsbestosAsbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling weightiness.
This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can cause incorrect diagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to
asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to
asbestos litigation, small particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with
asbestos case for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.
asbestos lawyer exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms.